NUMBER 15 SPRING 2004

EDITORIAL: Examines the myth
that that the Arbitration system is a drag on the economy. The myth is
based on the false belief that relative wages are, or should be,
settled by the market. In fact they are settled by political processes,
buttressed by propaganda masquerading as settled economic theory
supported by empirical research.

GEOFFREY BARKER reflects
on the globalisation of political spin as a technique to mislead,
manage and manipulate the electorate and how this is undermining the
culture of liberal democracy.

DIRK BALTZLY
describes the danger inherent in the use of deception as an instrument
of foreign policy because it is likely to mutate into self-deception –
as occurred in Vietnam and looks set to happen in Iraq.

DENIS KENNY sees
the ‘war on terror’ and the occupation of Iraq as a replay of the
colonial wars of the 20th century and suggests they will have to end in
the same way – through negotiation.

EVAN WHITTON argues
the US is ruled by oligarchs who retain power by keeping the electorate
constantly alarmed and yearning to be led to safety – the latest
hobgoblin being terrorism, presented to Bush by Osama bin Laden.

JOHN M. LEGGE
shows how the failure of postwar Anglo-Saxon economists to develop a
realistic theory of economic growth helps explain poor public policy
and destructive business practices which have resulted in Australia’s
growing environmental and balance of payments deficits.

JOHN BURTON, head
of the Foreign affairs Department from 1947 to 1951, reflects on how
real democracy has been hollowed out by the traditional party system
which hides behind adversarial party politics while it serves the same
upper middle class and financial interests. He outlines reforms which
might allow democracy to re-emerge.

KEVIN MORGAN shows
how the simple minded competition policy developed by the Hawke/Keating
government undermined the network’s development and how Telstra’s
management, by trying to increase the share value to promote the
government’s full privatisation policy, continues to run down to the
network.

SUE ELDERTON reviews
the role of public broadcasters in English speaking countries, their
long term future and the implications for liberal society in the face
of increasing government neglect and the impact of interactive
technologies.

CHRISTOPHER LLOYD argues
AUSFTA is a vehicle for institutional integration of Australia into the
US on terms which happen to suit the social and political agenda of the
Howard Government.

L. ELAINE MILLER suggests
that multiculturalism is compatible with a national identity which is
in a constant state of flux but is nonetheless firmly fixed in abstract
civic values.

BARBARA PRESTON shows
how the school funding model adopted by the Howard Government for the
current quadrennium will magnify educational inequality and further
restrict educational ‘choice’ for students from low income families.

SID SPINDLER argues
that despite the failure of ATSIC to advance the aboriginal cause or
win the support of the major political parties, serious policies
designed to improve opportunities for aboriginal Australians will still
require policies based on affirmative action.

MICK DODSON discusses
the Community Development Employment Program and argues that it can be
judged a success if it is seen as a welfare program rather than an
employment program.

NOTE
FOR EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: For
permission to reprint articles, or for interviews, contact Kenneth
Davidson or Lesley Vick on tel/fax 03 9347 7839 or email dissentmagazine@dissent.com.au

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